SB 5314 Would Require an E-Bike Pass for State Lands

[bigtex]

Senate Bill 5314 would require users of e-bikes on state lands to have an "e-bike pass" for their e-bike. The pass would be $5. Failing to purchase the pass would result in a $99 fine which would be reduced to $59 if the violator purchases the pass within 15 days of being cited. Funds from pass sales and fines would return to WDFW, DNR, and State Parks for maintaining trails open to e-bike use.

The bill is sponsored by Senators J. Wilson (R), Cleveland (D), Nobles (D), and Randall (D)

https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5314.pdf?q=20230126225130

[Henrydog]

Thanks for posting, I am not shooting the messenger.   I don't own any type of bike, this has no effect on me, but enough is enough.  Public land is owned by the public.  I guess that is only the case at Camp Hope.

Remember when the Discovery Pass was a one year stop gap.

 Where is all the dope tax money?

This State views taxes like a hungry fat kid at the Golden Corral.

[JakeLand]

Complete crap , next will be Tesla charge stations at trailheads

[Mulie87]

It’s all a out the Benjamin's. 💵

[follow maggie]

Wow. There really is no end to the money grubbing from Olympia

[CSherwood]

Wow!

I own an ebike and a dirt-bike (and a road bike for that matter) and I guess I never thought the state would be squeezing me for the ebike.  That's some serious hypocrisy - save the environment by keeping my dirt-bike out of the woods (by riding my ebike instead) and then punishing me for it.  I'm all for doing my part to preserve the wilderness, I just wish it didn't cost me my own money every time.  The ebike was already my most expensive 2-wheeler.

I wonder if the lawmakers are hung up on the definition of ebike.  My ebike and most other ebikes out there are "pedal assist", not a motorcycle that uses a battery instead of gas.  If they want "electric motorcycles" to also have an ORV tag (or equivalent), then I guess I can understand that.  If my pedal assist bike needs an ORV tag, I'm opposed.

[trophyhunt]

Maintain ebike trails….. ok, where are those, and who else is using those? So stupid! Total money grab, wouldn’t buy the pass, don’t buy the discover pass, and frankly not accepting any tickets for it.

[CP]

At $5 per permit, this program is likely to cost the state more to implement than it will bring in.   First step toward registration?  Non-e-bikes are probably next.

[Dan-o]

At $5 per permit, this program is likely to cost the state more to implement than it will bring in.   First step toward registration?  Non-e-bikes are probably next.

 

I'd love to know what it costs the state to collect $5.

[Bob33]

As the number of in-state hunters declines, the revenues from hunters will decline. It will be an impact on both license sales and Pittman Robertson funding. I expect there will be more and more efforts to make up for the lost revenue that hunters previously provided.

[Special T]

As the number of in-state hunters declines, the revenues from hunters will decline. It will be an impact on both license sales and Pittman Robertson funding. I expect there will be more and more efforts to make up for the lost revenue that hunters previously provided.

Wouldnt be a problem is sportsmens discover passe moneys went to the wdfw instead of the Parks Department!

[steeleywhopper]

Complete crap , next will be Tesla charge stations at trailheads

How about some Bakcou charging stations instead

[bigtex]

Remember when the Discovery Pass was a one year stop gap.

It was never intended to be a one year stop gap. It was initially intended to fully fund State Parks, but it never did.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[Special T]

Remember when the Discovery Pass was a one year stop gap.

It was never intended to be a one year stop gap. It was initially intended to fully fund State Parks, but it never did.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Because folks like Me refused to buy one and quit going to the state parks 1 or 2x a year. It is a horrible rob Peter to pay Paul plan. The Governor and Legislature do not find parks important enough to fund and yet they want a user that doesnt use the resource much to pay for it. Pox on them all!

[Henrydog]

Remember when the Discovery Pass was a one year stop gap.

It was never intended to be a one year stop gap. It was initially intended to fully fund State Parks, but it never did.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Interesting,  I stand corrected.  Looks like I have some digging to do this weekend

[templar021]

Hmmm, they won't allow ebikes on trails or gated roads and expect ebikes owners to pay for that....

[MADMAX]

Its Washington after all